AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan finds it “hard to reconcile” Toby Greene’s three-match suspension for intentional contact with an umpire and has approached league lawyers about appealing the tribunal’s decision.
Greene’s season is over after he was banned on Tuesday for what the tribunal determined was an “aggressive, demonstrative and disrespectful” interaction with experienced whistle-blower Matt Stevic.
Greene’s behaviour was described as “insolent and contemptuous” by AFL lawyer Jeff Gleeson QC, who called for a minimum six-match suspension.
The three-match ban – handed down by a jury made up of former AFL/VFL players Richard Loveridge, Stephen Jurica and Shane Wakelin – has ruled Greene out of the Giants’ sudden-death semi-final against Geelong on Friday night.
It means the dual All-Australian forward will not be available until at least round one next season, and potentially as late as round three, depending on how far the Giants go in this year’s finals series.
GWS accepted the decision, waiving their right to appeal.
But McLachlan later questioned whether the penalty was harsh enough and said a decision on a possible appeal from the league could be made as early as Wednesday.
“I welcomed the tribunal verdict that it was intentional conduct and handing down a sanction,” McLachlan told reporters on Tuesday.
“If I’m honest, I find it personally – and I need to be careful – hard to reconcile how it can be intentional conduct that was aggressive, demonstrative and disrespectful … and then only be three weeks.
“We (the AFL) asked for six, these are the facts and it’s three – and I’m finding that personally hard to reconcile.”
Greene’s run-in with Stevic occurred during three-quarter time of the Giants’ one-point win over Sydney in last Saturday’s elimination final.
On Tuesday, Greene conceded he was at fault for making contact with Stevic but repeatedly denied it was intentional during a tribunal hearing that lasted more than four hours.
“I do apologise for making contact and it’s certainly something that I wasn’t trying to do,” Greene told the tribunal.
“I agree that it’s not a great look for the game and I do apologise.”
In a surprise move, Greene’s lawyer Ben Ihle QC invited the tribunal to impose a “severe financial penalty” amounting to “four or five times” the maximum $5000, rather than suspending the player.
Ihle admitted the contact was a “terrible look” for the game that should have been avoided.
“But that doesn’t mean the contact was intentional,” Ihle said.
The tribunal jury disagreed.
“Player Greene had a full view of the umpire,” the jury said in its findings.
“He was talking to the umpire, he walked straight towards the umpire, he was looking straight at the umpire.
“The umpire was stationary. Player Greene made contact with the umpire.
“In these circumstances, the jury is satisfied that the contact was aggressive, demonstrative and disrespectful.”
In his evidence during the hearing, eight-time grand final umpire Stevic said he did not believe the “minor” contact caused by Greene was aggressive or demonstrative, and he did not feel “threatened” at any stage.
But after viewing multiple replays of the incident, Stevic said: “I don’t think it’s a good look for the game … I would say that there’s an element of it being disrespectful.”
AFL rules state that “contact with an umpire that is aggressive, forceful, demonstrative or disrespectful will be deemed intentional”.
Gleeson argued Greene’s actions could be seen as aggressive, demonstrative or disrespectful, but not forceful.
The Giants released a statement an hour after the decision was announced, declaring they would not appeal Greene’s suspension.
“I have complete appreciation for the role umpires play in our game and understand how critically important it is that they are respected at all times,” Greene said in the statement.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Okay, I see where the problem is now: English isn't your strong suit.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
As I say, Hawkins has been treated unfairly,in comparison with other players... Perhaps,in order to help you out, I had said that the leniency with which he has been treated is viewed as unfair by other players, would that be clearer to you? He knew how serious the offense was, judging by his on-field grovels and his mea culpa at the tribunal. You,however, are a lot like Greene or Gladys in expecting that claiming that black is white will fool anyone.
Geebee
Roar Rookie
Your use of formulas to justify the 3 weeks is really quaint. BUT you haven't mentioned the 21 other occasions when Greene has been cited, which include a previous instance of interfering with an umpire. There's also the look for the game. Many young kids have their heroes, and sadly I imagine Greene is one. There's nothing that justifies such a paltry suspension with Greene's record and ongoing arrogance. No indication whatsoever of genuine remorse, and his coach wasn't much better.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Hawkins wasn't charged with striking an umpire. He was charged with making intentional contact. Your colourful use of verbs will not change this fact. Now go away.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
I have no idea what you're trying to say. Your last sentence makes no sense. Please rephrase your entire post, and I'd be happy to educate you further. Perhaps get a dictionary and choose some different words — just a suggestion.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
You know why Hawkins is judged like Heidi. He is the AFL's poster boy despite his serial offending. Why Gleeson only asked for a week for hitting an umpire was beyond me then and remains so now. How many tribunal appearances has Heidi had now? How many fines? How many suspensions? How many times has he not even faced sanctions? If you were bright enough to ask the hard question of yourself, you'd agree that Hawkins has been treated unfairly.
Kane
Roar Rookie
What a crock, you can use all the legal jargon that you like but it still doesn't justify Hawkins actually striking an umpire.
.kraM
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Not often.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Gleeso out did himself with the old hyper bole. Toby should have got Tom Gleeson to defend him. Or better still, Toby's own Dad, Cleaver Greene.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
@XI - Yeah ok, disagree with an established fact. Each to their own. And by disagreeing, you are saying you are comfortable with abuse? Charming. @Your holiness - Indeed they do. They don't aggressively, deliberately and disrespectfully walk into them though, do they?
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
lots of people abuse the umpires and occasionally get a 50m penalty.
XI
Roar Guru
I disagree entirely. I could write out my reasoning but it ain't gonna matter so I'll leave you there.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Your question would hold more water if it wasn't based on a fiction. It is now fact that Greene aggressively, intentionally and disrespectfully walked into the umpire. It is fact because GWS have chosen to waive their right to appeal. They've accepted the verdict. In any event, the BIGGEST difference is that Tom Hawkins plead guilty and was entitled to sentence mitigation. Greene plead not guilty, and continued to deny in his evidence what was obvious to all - he deliberately contacted the umpire. Perhaps if he plead guilty and showed contrition, then just perhaps he might have escaped with less than 3 weeks and certainly wouldn't have the AFL appealing the leniency of the suspension. Society rewards those who confess. It rightly punishes those who choose to live in a bubble of denial. Interestingly, Greene and Hawkins were both defended by the same lawyer, who chose two diametrically opposed defence strategies. Bizarre.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
I don't think people should be comparing apples with oranges and trying to say racial abuse is worse/not worse than umpire abuse. It's a distraction Fact is that abuse of anyone is plain wrong and is finally being duly punished with severe sentences. And you're also twisting a story to suit your narrative and ignoring facts. Toby Greene did not merely walk into an umpire. He did so in an aggressive, intentional and disrespectful manner - a very important - and now, absolutely inarguable - point. It's quite simple. Don't abuse others in the game, and you won't be suspended.
Kane
Roar Rookie
How is Hawkins actually striking an umpire less than Greene brushing an umpire whilst walking past?
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Ben Cousins has said he was. Dunno what else I can say. Barry Hall followed due process and the tribunal made their decision. Again, dunno what else I can say. I don't support the Swans or the Eagles btw, I'm just responding to the utterly absurd post by Dom. If you want to get angry about it, go ahead....
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
PTA , how do you know he was "on the snort" that day? did you ask him ? maybe your club is unique from all others with your players past and present never done anything wrong, that's a miracle. Cousins didn't belt anyone in the finals and get away with it which is what the Dom was commenting on so why bring his name up - obsessed much ?
XI
Roar Guru
So Taylor Walker racially abused another player and got 6 weeks and the league said that's fair. Toby Greene walked into an umpire and the League is saying that's as bad as racial abuse. I can't agree with that.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Because the incidents are completely different. Anything else?